Pencils



.- Oct. 23, 1956 J. A. VlERLiNG 3rwentor ,JOHN A. VIERLING attorney United States Patent Ofiiice PENCILS John A. Vierling, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Brown & Bigelow, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application August 3, 1953, Serial No. 371,940

6 Claims. (Cl. 120-18) My invention relates to mechanical pencils wherein a small diameter lead is used and the pencil is equipped with a means for holding the inner end of the lead in a spring socket so that the lead may be moved forth and back within the pencil.

A feature resides in providing a pencil wherein the lead may be propelled, retracted, ejected and caused to slide back into the casing of the pencil, where the lead is protected, when pressure is exerted straight down on the lead. This feature protects the lead in writing position against being broken if the pencil is dropped on the point or lead. The releasing of the lead back into the barrel by pressure on the end of same is automatic when greater than writing pressure is exerted against the projecting end of the lead and the force is in a straight longitudinal direction in line with the lead. This force will cause the thread-engaging lug of the lead ejector to jump the threads of the threaded tube in the barrel of the pencil, permitting the writing lead to slide longitudinally right back into the casing of the pencil, thereby protecting the same.

A further feature of my pencil resides in providing a threaded tube with a slotted center tube which supports the element forming the lug of the propelling means. This thread-engaging lug element in the propelling mechanism of my pencil is formed with a spring tail on the rear end and a forwardly projecting rod-like end, upon which the lead-receiving socket is slidably mounted. The lead socket is formed of spring material so as to grip the inner end of the writing lead and hold it firmly in the socket, while the lead propelling and retracting means move the lead in the desired direction.

It is a primary feature to provide a lead-carrier means, including the spring socket on the forward end of the thread-engaging lug element, which not only slides longitudinally thereon but is adapted to be rotated by a cam slot formed in the forward end of the center tube. Thus, as the lead-ejector lug element travels forward in the slotted center tube, the lead-carrying socket is adapted to be rotated and stop its longitudinal movement; however, permitting the pusher rod portion of the lug element to continue to travel forward longitudinally and thereby pushing the stub end of the lead out of the lead socket and ejecting the same from the pencil.

After the unused inner end of the lead has been ejected and the lead ejector is moved backward in the center tube, the lead-receiving socket is automatically reset in position to receive a new lead by the backward movement of the lead-ejector means in the center tube. Thus in ejecting the lead, the lead socket is rotated when it reaches the forward position in the center tube and the ejecting end of the thread-engaging lug element travels forward and through the socket ejecting the old lead and when the lead-ejecting element is drawn back into the pencil casing, by rotating the center tube, the lead-carrying socket rotates back into its normal position where it is held locked between projecting lugs formed on the pusher rod of the thread-engaging lug element.

The features and details, together with the operation of my pencil, will be more fully hereinafter set forth:

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is the longitudinal sectional view of my pencil.

Figure 2 is a perspective detail of the forward end slotted center tube and the lead pusher element with its operating thread engaging lug.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the spring lead-holding sleeve.

Figure 4 is the lead pusher or ejector element, showing the lug portion thereof, the spring tail and respective lugs for controlling the lead socket and showing the lead socket removed from the lead-ejecting element.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic died-out illustration of the lead-receiving socket when it is in flat sheet-like formation before the same has been rolled into tubular form.

Figure 6 is a perspecive detail of the front end of the center tube, a portion of which is broken away, and illustrating the position of the parts of the lead carrier when moving either in a forward direction or a rearward direction to illustrate either the ejecting of the stub of the lead from the lead socket or the drawing of the lead socket back into setting position to receive a new writing lead.

The pencil A is formed with an eraser cap 10 to cover the eraser 11 of which carries the pocket clip 12. This cap A may be removed from the upper end of the pencil to expose the eraser 11 when it is desired. The cap 10 further engages the tubular member 13 frictionally so that by rotating the cap 10 the tubular member 13 will also be rotated.

A spring-locking ring 14 holds the tubular member 13 to the inner casing portion 15 to prevent longitudinal movement of the casing portion 14 but permitting the same to rotate when it is engaged either at the eraser end or through the engagement of the cap 10. The tubular member 15 is stationarily fixed within the outer forward casing 16 of the pencil A.

Extending axially below the bottom end of the tubular member 15 and likewise stationarily fixed within the outer forward casing 16 of the pencil A is the internally threaded intermediate casing 17' formed with threads 17, which extend to the front end thereof. The threads 17 are ordinarily formed by rolling the same into the tube and in this manner a thread with a smooth, wide surface is formed in the tube and provides the threaded means of the pencil A by which the lead is propelled and retracted in the casing.

The rotatable tubular member 13 is adapted to support, and has fixed thereto at 18, a longitudinally slotted center tube 19. Thus, when the tubular member 13 is rotated either by the cap 10 or by engaging the same at the point of the eraser 11, the center tube 19 is rotated within the threaded intermediate casing 17'.

The lead-ejector element 20 is adapted to be supported within the center tube 19 with the thread-engaging lug portion 21 projecting out of the longitudinal slot 22.

The lead carrier 20 is formed with a spring tail portion 23, which is adapted to hold the lug 21 in spring contact with the threads 17. The forward end of the element 29 is provided with a bottom shoe 24 which rests on the inner surface of the center tube 19, while the spring tail end 23 also engages the inner surface of the center tube 19 so that the thread-engaging lug portion 21 is positioned intermediate the extreme rear end of the portion 23 and the shoe 24, and thus the lug 21 acquires a spring bearing against the threads 17. This maintains a spring engagement with the threads 17 by the lug 21 and further provides a desirable frictional means for preventing the free rotation of the tube 19; nevertheless, permitting the same to be rotated by rotating the cap 10.

A lead ejecting rod-like end 25 is formed on the front Patented Oct. 23, 1956 end of the lead ejector element 20. I also form two forward upstanding lugs 26 and 27', respectively, on the forward end of the lead ejector 20, which are adapted to operate to control the movement of the spring lead carrier tube 28;

The lead carrier tube 28 may be died-out in the form illustrated in Figure and then formed into a tubular shape with upstanding lug portions 29 on the rear end with a longitudinal slot 30 and an offset recess 31 adjacent the lugs 29 and opening into the longitudinal slot 39.

In assembled form the tubular lead holder 23 is mounted on the forward end of the lead pusher 20 with the short forward lug 26 projecting upwardly into the slot 39. The long lug 7 acts as a stop to limit the forward movement of the lead-ejector 20 when the long lug 27 abuts the top or upward portion of the cam shoulder 32" and the rear end of the tube 23 with the lug 29 inthe position shown in Figure 2'.

The center tube 19 is formed with a cam recess 32 at the forward end of the longitudinal slot 22. Thus, with the lead-ejector 2d positioned in the center tube 19 carrying the lead-receiving tube 28 and the member 26 is moved forward in the tube 19, the lug 29 of the lead carrying sleeve will be guided by the cam slot 32 into the position illustrated in Figure 2. At the same time, the rear lug 29 pushes the lead-carrying tube forwardly and the outer forward end 25 of the member 2% will slide longitudinally through the lead tube 28 to eject the stub or unused portion of the lead 33 out of the lead tube 28 and the writing end 34 of the pencil. The end 25 of the member 29 is long enough to extend clear through the forward end of the lead tube 23 and through the lead hole 35 formed in the writing tip 34 of the pencil A. Thus, the old unused stub portion of the lead is entirely ejected from the pencil A.

After the lead has been ejected out of the tube 28, the operator of the pencil A may reverse the rotation of the center tube 19 by turning the cap in a reverse direction whereupon the lug 26 is drawn rearwardly against the shoulder 36 thereby drawing the tube 28 rearwardly. As the tube 28 is drawn rearwardly the lugs 29 are drawn against the cam shoulder. 32 of the cam slot 32, and the lugs 29 ride up the shoulder 32' from the position shown in.Figure 2 to that shown in Figure 6 and from the position shown in Figure 6 into the slot 22. With further rearward movement of the nut 21 the rod 25 is drawn into a backward position and a new lead may be inserted into the socket 28 of the tube 28.

In the backward movement of the lead ejector 23, together with its socket 28', after a lead has been ejected therefrom, as illustrated in Figure 2 and, as the lug 21 moves backward in the slot 22 of the center tube 19, the lug 25 will slide backward in the slot 30 of the tube 28 until this lug strikes against the shoulder 36 adjacent to the front edge of the lug 29. The continued backward movement of the lug 21 operating on the threads t7 will draw the sleeve 28 backward, causing the lug 29 to move upward in line with the slot 22 of the center tube by the action of the cam slot 32. At the same time this operation takes place the sleeve 23 will rotate setting the short lug 26 in the recess 31. This operation is illustrated in Figure 6 where a portion of the center tube 19 is broken away and one surface of the cam slot 32 is illustrated, showing the lugs 29 riding upwardly on one side of the cam surface 32 and the short forward lug 26 entering the slot 31 in the lead tube 28.

As the lead ejector 26 is moved forward the lug 26 bears against the shoulder portion 31 of the recess 31, thereby pushing the lead tube 28 forwardly and as the lug 29 goes forwardly it strikes the cam shoulder 32" and is rotated and directed downwardly thereby taking the lug 26 out of the recess 31 and down the slot 30 to eject the lead from the socket 28.

As the backward movement of the lug 21 of the caririer 20 continues, the lugs 26, 27 and 29 extend in longitudinal alignment with the slot 22 of the tube 19.

The short forward lug 26, resting in the recess 31, holds the carrier sleeve 28 rigid against longitudinal movement when the lugs 26, 27 and 29 are in alignment, as heretofore set forth, and thus a new writing lead 33 can be inserted in the open front end of the socket or sleeve 28 with the inner end of the writing lead pressing against the outer end 25 of the pusher rod.

The lug 2i, owing to its spring tail 23, will ride over the threads 17 moving in a straight longitudinal direction in the tube 19 if excess pressure is exerted directly against the projecting lead 33; thus, causing the lead 33 to be forced back into the writing tip of the pencil and thereby protecting the lead against crushing or breaking. This affords the user of my pencil the advantage of not having to retract'the projecting lead from the writing tip but rather just exerting pressure straight down on the upper protruding portion of the lead 33 causing the pusher nut 21 to ride over the threads and thereby concealing the writing lead in the writing tip 34 of the pencil.

Furthermore, the spring tail on the thread-engaging lug 21 also permits the lug 21 to ride over the threads 17 at either end of the threads, either' in a backward direction or in a forward direction. This may be clone without injuring the propelling and retracting action of the lead operating means of the pencil A.

It will, therefore, be apparent that in my mechanical pencil A I have provided for the user thereof the ad vantages of propelling the lead forwardly in the pencil, retracting the lead in a backward direction both by rotating the cap flit or the eraser end of the pencil and adding thereto the automatic movement of the lead in a backward direction when excess pressure is exerted against the protruding end of the lead. Furthermore, the advantage of a lead-ejecting means is incorporated in the lead-carrying means of the pencil, which operates in a simple manner by the cam recess in the center tube 19, which forces the lugs 29 to follow the cam recess 32 simultaneously rotating the lead-receiving socket 28 while the end 25 pushes the old stub of the lead out of the same.

I claim:

1. In a mechanical pencil, an internally threaded intermediate casing, a center tube having a slot formed longitudinally therein and mounted within said casing, the forward end of said center tube longitudinal slot being closed and having a cam slot adjacent thereto extending obliquely from said center tube slot, 2. non-jamming lead ejector mounted in said center tube, said lead ejector formed with a lug portion extending outwardly through said center tube slot adapted to engage the threads of said casing, a short lug formed on the forward end of said ejector of a length adapted to pass beneath said closed end of said center tube, a long lug formed onsaid ejector, a lead holding tube slidably and rot-atably mounted on said lead-ejector and having a slot formed therein in which said forward lug is adapted to slide and a transverse recess extending from one side of said slot for receiving said forward lug of said ejector to move the lead tube forwardly or rearwardly, lug means formed on said lead tube adjacent the rear end of said lead tube slot adapted to coact with said cam slot and rotate into the same to stopthe forward movement of. said lead-holding tube whereafter said leadcjector is moved forwardly in said center tube to eject a lead from said lead tube and also to move said short lug into said transverse recess to move said lead tube rearwardly in said center tube and casing when said lead ejector is drawn rearwardly therein, said long lug adapted to engage the edge of said cam slot to halt the forward movement of said ejector.

2. A mechanical pencil including an outer casing, 21 lead, propelling and retracting means within said outer casing, including a threaded intermediate casing, a longitudinally slotted center tube extending within said intermediate casing, a lead ejector slidable within said center tube and having a thread engaging lug formed thereon, a spring tail formed on the rear of said thread engaging lug coacting with said threaded intermediate casing to render said lug nonbinding, a spring lead-holding sleeve mounted on the forward end of said lead ejector, said lead-holding sleeve having a longitudinal slot formed therein and a transverse right angular recess formed at the rear end of said longitudinal slot, an up standing short lug formed upon the forward end of said lead ejector movable into said transverse slot, an upstanding lug formed on the rear end of said lead-holder sleeve, a cam slot formed at the forward end of said center tube leading from the longitudinal slot therein,

adapted to cause said upstanding lug formed on the rear of said lead-holding sleeve to travel into said cam slot and thereby halt the forward movement of said lead-holding sleeve carried by the forward end of said lead ejector to permit the forward end of said lead ejector to eject the stub of the lead in said lead holding sleeve, and a long lug formed on said lead ejector rearwardly of said short lug movable in said slot of said center tube and abutting the rear end of said lead holding sleeve and said cam slot to halt the forward movement of said ejector rod.

3. In a mechanical pencil, an internally threaded intermediate casing, a center tube having a slot formed longitudinally therein and mounted within said casing, said center tube having a cam slot formed therein with the forward end thereof extending obliquely from the longitudinal center tube slot, a non-wedgeable lead-ejector mounted in said slot and extending out of said tube, said lead-ejector having a lug portion engagable with the threads of said intermediate casing, a short lug formed on the forward end of said lead-ejector, a lead-holding tube slidably mounted on said lead-ejector and having a slot formed therein adapted to receive said lug of said lead-ejector, lug means formed on said lead tube for coaction with said cam slot of said center tube, a long lug formed on said ejector adapted to engage the forward shoulder of said cam slot to stop the forward movernent of said lead-ejector, said lead-holding tube having a recess formed therein adjoining the slot and adjacent said lug means for receiving said short lug of said lead ejector to retract said lead-holding tube when said lug means of said lead tube is drawn rearwardly against said cam slot and into said longitudinal center tube slot and to drive said lead-holding tube forwardly to actuate said lug means in said cam slot to rotate said lead tube disengage said lug on said ejector from said recess and stop the forward movement of said lead-holding tube and allow said lead ejector to be projected out of said lead tube to push a piece of writing lead therefrom.

4. In a lead-maintaining mechanism for a mechanical pencil, a slotted supporting tube having a cam slot extending from the forward end of said tube slot, a slotted lead-holding tube having lug means formed on the rear end thereof and engageable in said cam slot, said lead-holding tube having a recess formed therein ex.- tending from said slot thereof and adjacent said lug means, a movable lead-ejector member slidably mounted in said supporting tube and said lead tube and having a forward lug formed thereon positioned in said slot of said lead-holding tube adapted to be drawn into said recess of said lead-holding tube by the action of said lug means in said cam slot on backward movement of said ejector member to carry said lead-holding tube rearwardly in said supporting tube and also adapted to be withdrawn from said lead tube recess and down said lead tube slot to permit said lead-ejector member to eject a lead by the action of said lug means in said cam slot when said ejector member is moved forwardly in said supporting tube, and a long lug formed on said lead ejector adapted to engage the forward shoulder of said cam slotv to halt the forward movement of said ejector rod.

5. An improvement in the lead-holding and ejecting mechanism of a mechanical pencil comprising an outer casing, an inner casing liner, an intermediate internally threaded casing fixedly attached at its lower end to said outer casing, a manually operable actuating member rotatable within said inner casing liner, a longitudinally slotted center tube within said intermediate casing and attached at its upper end to said actuating member, said center tube being formed with an oblique transverse cam slot near the lower end thereof, a nonbinding lead ejector slidably contained in said longitudinally slotted center tube and having formed thereo an upstanding thread engaging lug located medially between the ends thereof, said lead-ejector being formed with a springable tail portion near the upper end thereof to permit said thread engaging lug to slip threads of said threaded casing under pressure, a tall upstanding lug portion formed on said lead-ejector below said thread engaging lug, a short upstanding lug formed on said lead-ejector below said tall lug and co-planar therewith, a downwardly disposed bottom shoe opposite said tall lug portion, said upstanding lug portions and said thread engaging lug extending through the center slot of said center tube, a springable slotted lead carrier tube formed with an elongated longitudinal slot, a transversely disposed slot formed at the upper end of said longitudinal slot, an upstanding lug portion formed on said lead carrier tube near the rear thereof, said short lug of said lead ejector being slidable within said longitudinal slot in said lead carrier and engagable in said transverse slot near the rear of said longitudinal slot, said upstanding lug portion on said tube carrier being adapted to rotate said lead carrier tube by engagement with said cammed slot of said center tube, whereby said short lug is disengaged from said recess at the rear end of said longitudinal slot in said lead carrier when said lead carrier is rotated thereby permitting said lead ejector to move forwardly in said lead carrier tube and to expel remaining lead therefrom.

6. In a mechanical pencil of the type described a lead ejecting mechanism comprising a hollow lead carrier tube formed with an elongated longitudinal slot therein and a transverse slot adjoining said longitudinal slot, at lug portion formed on the rear end of said lead carrier tube, a lead ejector formed with an arcuated springable end portion, a non-jamming thread engaging lug formed on said lead ejector medially between the ends thereof, an upstanding long lug formed on said lead ejector below and in co-planar relationship to said thread engaging lug, a short lug formed on said lead-ejector below said long lug and in co-planar relationship with said long lug and thread engaging lug, a bottom shoe portion formed on said lead-ejector opposite said long lug, said short lug slidably engagable within the elongated longitudinal slot on said lead carrier tube, a longitudinally slotted center tube engagable about said lead-ejector element having an angularly disposed cam slot formed therein, said upstanding lugs being engagable in the longitudinal slot of said center tube, an actuating member atlixed at its lower end to said longitudinally slotted center tube, an internally threaded intermediate casing engagable with said thread engaging lugs of said lead-ejector, an outer casing portion fixedly attached near its lower end to said intermediate casing whereby an expel, repel, propel action can be obtained.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,370,420 Fischer Mar. 1, 1921 2,008,789 Hauton July 23, 1935 2,557,320 Smith June 19, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 525,509 Great Britain Aug. 29, 1940 

